Gamble

11. Haste

*Unedited. Errors should be mentioned in kind words please :)*

I shoved my phone back in my bag. Upon seeing my distressed face Maria voiced "Is everything alright Yusur?"

"I'll have to go" I said, taking my books.

"Okay, sure" she seemed uncertain but didn't argue. "We should do it again sometimes, you know, catch up on stuff."

I gave her a smile "Yeah we should definitely."

I exited the house without bothering to tell Mrs. Suleiman as I didn't want to disturb her.

I rushed back home, constantly texting Zehra, asking her the reason behind the rush but she didn't respond. Even though the Suleimans lived barely a 10 minute walk away, at the moment it seemed like an eternity. The worst of thoughts rushed through my mind as I made my way home.

When I finally reached home, I found Zehra waiting for me in the doorway. "What happened?" I panted "Is everything alright?"

"Do you expect any good to come when she is under the roof?" Zehra pointed to the tv room where Aunt Zehra and Saima were a part of a heated discussion.

I started to enter the room just as Zehra grabbed my arm "Wouldn't you want to hear what brought about moms wrath on her?" she sneered.

"Just spit it out already"

Zehra gave aunt Saima a pointed glare "She asked for your hand for that empty headed pathetic of a person she dearly calls son."

My eyes widened at the announcement. "What the hell are you talking about?"

She shrugged "I've never seen mother this angry before."

I entered the room "Why?" I demanded furiously "Why do you intent on ruining my life?"

Saima was dumbfounded at my reaction but she didn't miss any chance to insult me "Do you see how she is talking to her elders Aalia?" she turned to my aunt "Her mother didn't teach her anything. This" she pointed at me and made circles with her hand "This is why I am taking her. So she could learn what being a lady means."

"If a lady means being anything like you I'm better off being the way I am" I seethed.

"How dare you talk to my mother in this manner?" Ahmed, who I just noted was here too, spoke up.

"I think it would be better if you leave" Aunt Aalia put up before I could say anything else.

"I will talk to my brother about this" Saima huffed and started to leave, brushing past me.

Aunt Aalia remained silent.

Zehra patted me on the back "I'm proud of you my child. I see you have learned something from me." She smirked and I laughed despite still being angry at the preposition.

I was beyond angry. How dare she ask for something like that? Her son comes home drunk more often than not; he is an infamous playboy and indulges in all the vices that are humanly possible. I am no saint but I am not much of a devil like him either. I know very well what people like Saima want from me. I am an orphan with a large bank balance aka a jackpot. She intended to tarnish my reputation in the family so no respected lad would step forth and ask for my hand. It would give her the chance to act hero and take me in. But I had something else in mind. I would never cave in her attempts.

"I made biryani" was all Aunt Aalia said. And that was all she needed to say as mine and Zehra's stomachs were practically grumbling.

I got dressed for school the next day and proceeded down the stairs to have breakfast. The atmosphere of the house was sullen. Uncle Amir knew about yesterdays ordeal but spoke nothing of it to me, neither did alia say something about my behavior yesterday.